2019 Toyota RAV4 Key Replacement in Los Angeles

The 2019–2020 RAV4 uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Toyota RAV4 key guide.

2019 Toyota RAV4: key facts

Key type: Smart / proximity key
Push-to-start: Yes
Transponder chip: 8A-AA (128-bit DST-AES smart)
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

New XA50: smart key with push-button start is standard (HYQ14FBC fob, 8A-AA type). All-keys-lost may require Toyota security pass-codes or credentialed access depending on the tool — confirmed per job.

What kind of key does a 2019 RAV4 use?

Every 2019 RAV4 is the redesigned XA50 generation, and on this one the smart key with push-button start is standard. There is no ignition cylinder to turn. The car reads the fob when it is close, and you start it by pressing the button with your foot on the brake. The fob is the HYQ14FBC type, and it carries an 8A-AA chip, a 128-bit DST-AES smart transponder. That chip family is verified for this year.

In practical terms, this is not a key a hardware store can copy. The fob has to be paired electronically with the vehicle before the car will accept it. Cutting metal alone does nothing for starting the engine.

The fob also holds a mechanical backup key. It slides out of the fob and works the door lock if the fob battery dies or the car does not detect the fob. It is a good thing to know about before you need it, because most owners have never pulled it out.

Key type: smart proximity fob with push-button start
Fob: HYQ14FBC, 8A-AA chip (128-bit DST-AES smart)
Programming method: through the OBD port
Mechanical backup key: included in the fob

Spare key or all keys lost: how the two jobs differ

For this setup, duplication starts from an original key. If you still have a working fob, we use it to add another one, and that is the simpler job. It is also the better time to act. Most people wait until they are down to a single fob, and then one more loss becomes a much bigger problem.

If every fob is gone, a replacement is still possible. We can make a key for a 2019 RAV4 without any existing fob. This is the harder path. Depending on the programming tool, all-keys-lost on this car may need Toyota security pass-codes or credentialed access, and we confirm that per job rather than promise it up front. The vehicle's VIN and proof that the car is yours are part of that conversation.

Lost-fob replacement on this model costs more than it did with the older bladed keys many owners remember. That is just the nature of a smart key. You are replacing a small electronic device and paying for the security work to pair it.

How we handle a 2019 RAV4 key job, step by step

Our storefront is at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood, and our mobile vans can come to the vehicle, which matters when the car will not start and the fob is the reason.

You call (213) 577-1366 and tell us the year, model and whether you have any working fob.
We ask for the VIN and confirm the key setup against it, including how an all-keys-lost situation would be handled for your car.
We confirm you own the vehicle before making or programming any key.
We pair the new fob to the car through the OBD port and check that it starts the engine and works the locks.
We test the mechanical backup key and every fob you will carry, and show you how to use the backup if the fob battery dies.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

We answer around the clock, every day of the year.

Call (213) 577-1366

What affects the cost of a RAV4 smart key?

We do not quote a figure on a web page because the right number depends on your situation. Here is what moves it:

Whether you have a working fob. Adding a spare from an existing key is usually the more economical route compared with all keys lost.
The access needed for programming. If your car needs security pass-codes or credentialed access, that adds work.
Where the car is. A vehicle that cannot be driven needs a mobile visit instead of a trip to our shop.
How many fobs you want. Adding a second spare while we are already there is often more sensible than coming back later.
The fob itself. A water-damaged or cracked fob sometimes needs a new unit rather than a repair, while a weak battery is a much smaller fix.

A fob that says 'key not detected' is not always lost

The most common complaint on this model is a dashboard message saying the key is not detected. Often the fob battery has simply run down. Replacing the battery costs far less than replacing a fob, so we usually check this before suggesting anything else. Water damage is the other recurring problem. A fob that went through the wash or sat in a wet pocket can stop working even after it dries.

Hold the fob against the start button, or try the mechanical key in the door, as a quick test. If the car responds, you probably need a battery rather than a new key.

One honest note: the programming path for all keys lost, and whether a specific tool needs pass-codes, is not something we claim to know for every 2019 RAV4 without looking. So we confirm by VIN before we start, and we tell you plainly what the job involves.

Why call us: we have been in business since 1987, we run a storefront plus mobile vans, and the person who answers works for the same company that does the job, with no dispatcher passing you along. David oversees the work. California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask any locksmith for it. Details on other models are on our Toyota key page, and the full lineup is at RAV4 keys by year. If you would rather send us the details first, use the contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2019 Toyota RAV4 have a push-to-start key?

Yes. The 2019 RAV4 comes with a smart key and push-button start as standard. The fob is the HYQ14FBC type with an 8A-AA chip.

Can you make a RAV4 key if I lost all my fobs?

Yes, it is possible. It is a more involved job than copying from a working fob, and depending on the tool it may need Toyota security pass-codes or credentialed access. We confirm that by VIN before starting.

Do I need my original key to get a spare?

For duplication on this setup, yes, an original working key is needed. If you do not have one, the job becomes an all-keys-lost replacement instead.

How is the new fob programmed?

Through the car's OBD port. We pair the fob to the vehicle and then test starting, locking and unlocking.

My RAV4 says the key is not detected. Do I need a new fob?

Not necessarily. A weak fob battery is a common cause. Try the fob against the start button, and use the mechanical backup key for the door if needed. If the problem continues, the fob may be damaged, including by water.

Does the fob have a regular key inside?

Yes. There is a mechanical backup key built into the fob. It opens the door when the fob battery is dead.

Can you come to me, or do I have to bring the car in?

We have a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and mobile vans. Call (213) 577-1366, any hour, and we will work out which suits your situation. See our car key services for more.

We cover all these cities

Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-11.